After a hiatus of six years, Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic is returning to grace the Miami Open. His previous appearance at the tournament was during its inaugural run at the Hard Rock Stadium in 2019. Despite having once held the title of world No.1, Djokovic’s performance then was cut short in the round of 16 by Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut.
Djokovic, a six-time champion of this tournament, has been conspicuously absent from the second Masters 1000 of the season for several reasons. His refusal to get vaccinated against Covid-19 notably impeded his entry into the United States. Furthermore, the 24-time Grand Slam winner has been purposefully curtailing his playing schedule in recent years to safeguard his physical wellbeing and ensure peak performance at the Majors.
Nonetheless, the 37-year-old Belgrade native’s recent unexpected defeat against Botic van de Zandschulp at Indian Wells has underscored a need for him to return to the court. Djokovic’s performance in California was uncharacteristically subpar, leaving fans and analysts worried about his form for the rest of the season.
In the latest episode of ‘Sans Filet’, renowned analyst Benoit Maylin dissected Djokovic’s prospects at the Miami Open. He noted, “Djokovic has suffered three consecutive losses, a streak he hasn’t experienced in seven years. His tennis has been less than stellar. Yes, he’s won this tournament six times, but that was at the old venue. His sole appearance at the Hard Rock Stadium ended in the round of 16.”
Maylin further elaborated that the savvy Serbian player is acutely aware of his strengths and weaknesses. His decision to participate in the Masters 1000 is not aimed at winning the tournament, but to get some crucial match practice. Djokovic’s primary objective, Maylin underlines, is to gear up for the Roland Garros tournament.
The stakes at Roland Garros are high for Djokovic. If he emerges victorious, he will have the distinction of winning all the Grand Slams at least four times. If he falls short of this milestone, he is likely to make another attempt at Wimbledon, where he has consistently reached the final since 2018.
As we anticipate Djokovic’s return to the Miami Open, it’s clear that his game strategy extends beyond this tournament. This is a stepping stone in his quest for further Grand Slam glory and a testament to his adaptability and resilience.
